Tropical Butterflies in the Conservatory
Click on the images to see larger versions! Photos by James Laurie, TDG Member.
Tawny Owl Butterfly Caligo memnon
© James Laurie
Owl butterflies (Caligo sp.) are very large, 65-200 mm, neotropical butterflies that get their common name from the large eyespot patterns on the underside of the hindwings. It is thought that the eye pattern is a generalized form of mimicry. It is known that many small animals hesitate to go near patterns resembling vertebrate eyes that match the appearance of predators that hunt by sight. Owl butterflies are most active in the early morning and at dusk, unlike many other butterflies.
© James Laurie
Owl butterflies (Caligo sp.) are very large, 65-200 mm, neotropical butterflies that get their common name from the large eyespot patterns on the underside of the hindwings. It is thought that the eye pattern is a generalized form of mimicry. It is known that many small animals hesitate to go near patterns resembling vertebrate eyes that match the appearance of predators that hunt by sight. Owl butterflies are most active in the early morning and at dusk, unlike many other butterflies.
Northern Olivewing Nessaea aglaura
© James Laurie
The Northern Olivewing is closely related to the Banners but differs dramatically from them in color. The upper side sports a bright light blue band and the underside blends well among leaves. Like their relatives they are fruit feeders but rarely spend time with the wings open.
© James Laurie
The Northern Olivewing is closely related to the Banners but differs dramatically from them in color. The upper side sports a bright light blue band and the underside blends well among leaves. Like their relatives they are fruit feeders but rarely spend time with the wings open.
Chocolate Pansy Precis iphita
© James Laurie
The Chocolate Pansy or Chocolate Soldier is found in south Asia. It is about 5–6 centimetres (2.0–2.4 in) in wingspan. The female can be told apart from the male by white markings on the oblique line on the underside of the hind wing. The wavy lines on the underside of the wings vary from wet to dry season forms. Individuals maintain a territory and are usually found close to the ground level and often bask in the sun. Related to the common Buckeye of North America, this species is quite pugnacious and an avid flower feeder.
© James Laurie
The Chocolate Pansy or Chocolate Soldier is found in south Asia. It is about 5–6 centimetres (2.0–2.4 in) in wingspan. The female can be told apart from the male by white markings on the oblique line on the underside of the hind wing. The wavy lines on the underside of the wings vary from wet to dry season forms. Individuals maintain a territory and are usually found close to the ground level and often bask in the sun. Related to the common Buckeye of North America, this species is quite pugnacious and an avid flower feeder.
Great Eggfly Hypolimnas bolina
© James Laurie
Hypolimnas are commonly known as eggflies or diadems. The genus contains approximately 23 species, most of which are found in Africa, Asia, and Oceania. Eggflies are known for their marked sexual dimorphism and involvement in Batesian mimicry of milkweed butterflies (Danainae). The Great Eggfly is a fairly common butterfly found in lightly wooded countryside in deciduous forests as well as thick and moist scrub. It is often found around human habitation. Great Eggflies are known for their maternal care, with the females guarding leaves where eggs have been laid. . The female hovers over a host plant to check for ants which will eat her eggs. Males are also very territorial and site fidelity increases with age. They are poisonous due to feeding on milkweeds and other toxic plants as larvae.
© James Laurie
Hypolimnas are commonly known as eggflies or diadems. The genus contains approximately 23 species, most of which are found in Africa, Asia, and Oceania. Eggflies are known for their marked sexual dimorphism and involvement in Batesian mimicry of milkweed butterflies (Danainae). The Great Eggfly is a fairly common butterfly found in lightly wooded countryside in deciduous forests as well as thick and moist scrub. It is often found around human habitation. Great Eggflies are known for their maternal care, with the females guarding leaves where eggs have been laid. . The female hovers over a host plant to check for ants which will eat her eggs. Males are also very territorial and site fidelity increases with age. They are poisonous due to feeding on milkweeds and other toxic plants as larvae.
The Malachite Siproeta stelenes
© James Laurie
The Malachite is a neotropical brush-footed butterfly with large wings which are black and brilliant green or yellow-green on the upper side and light brown and olive green on the undersides. Surprisingly, they are well camouflaged when they are resting amongst foliage. The wingspread is typically between 8.5 and 10 cm. The malachite is found throughout Central and northern South America, where it is one of the most common butterfly species. Its distribution extends as far north as southern Texas and the tip of Florida to Cuba, and south to Brazil. Adults feed on flower nectar, rotting fruit, dead animals, and bat dung. Females lay eggs on the new leaves of plants in the Acanthaceae family, especially Ruellia and Blechum. The larvae are horned, spiny black caterpillars with red markings.
© James Laurie
The Malachite is a neotropical brush-footed butterfly with large wings which are black and brilliant green or yellow-green on the upper side and light brown and olive green on the undersides. Surprisingly, they are well camouflaged when they are resting amongst foliage. The wingspread is typically between 8.5 and 10 cm. The malachite is found throughout Central and northern South America, where it is one of the most common butterfly species. Its distribution extends as far north as southern Texas and the tip of Florida to Cuba, and south to Brazil. Adults feed on flower nectar, rotting fruit, dead animals, and bat dung. Females lay eggs on the new leaves of plants in the Acanthaceae family, especially Ruellia and Blechum. The larvae are horned, spiny black caterpillars with red markings.
The Mosaic Colobura dirce
© James Laurie
The Mosaic is found from Mexico throughout South America. These odd butterflies have a number of ways to protect themselves from predators. They are fast and quick to land, and upon landing, they perch up-side-down on tree trunks. Most butterflies land head-side up on tree trunks so birds are confused as to which end is the head. To further puzzle the bird, the tips of the hindwings have markings in the form of a false head. Like many of the tropical brushfoots the adults feed on fermenting fruit and at sap flows. The spiny caterpillars are gregarious and feed on trees of the genus Cecropia.
© James Laurie
The Mosaic is found from Mexico throughout South America. These odd butterflies have a number of ways to protect themselves from predators. They are fast and quick to land, and upon landing, they perch up-side-down on tree trunks. Most butterflies land head-side up on tree trunks so birds are confused as to which end is the head. To further puzzle the bird, the tips of the hindwings have markings in the form of a false head. Like many of the tropical brushfoots the adults feed on fermenting fruit and at sap flows. The spiny caterpillars are gregarious and feed on trees of the genus Cecropia.
The Paper Kite
Idea leuconoe
© James Laurie
The Paper Kite, Rice-paper Butterfly, or Wood Nymph is one of the most spectacular danaid butterflies. This magnificent, slow-flying species is found in mangrove forests in extreme southeast Asia (Malaysia) and the surrounding Indonesian islands (Burma, Sumatra, New Guinea, Borneo, and the Philippines). It is easy to see how the species gets its common names as the overly large flimsy wings and bouncing flight are reminiscent of a piece of paper being blown about by the wind. The chrysalis is a piece of art in itself and looks uncannily like a piece of butterscotch candy wrapped in yellow cellophane. Like all members of the monarch family, it is unpalatable due to the chemicals sequestered as a caterpillar feeding on Tylophora hispida, Parsonsia helicandra, P. spiralis, and Cynanchum formosanum.
© James Laurie
The Paper Kite, Rice-paper Butterfly, or Wood Nymph is one of the most spectacular danaid butterflies. This magnificent, slow-flying species is found in mangrove forests in extreme southeast Asia (Malaysia) and the surrounding Indonesian islands (Burma, Sumatra, New Guinea, Borneo, and the Philippines). It is easy to see how the species gets its common names as the overly large flimsy wings and bouncing flight are reminiscent of a piece of paper being blown about by the wind. The chrysalis is a piece of art in itself and looks uncannily like a piece of butterscotch candy wrapped in yellow cellophane. Like all members of the monarch family, it is unpalatable due to the chemicals sequestered as a caterpillar feeding on Tylophora hispida, Parsonsia helicandra, P. spiralis, and Cynanchum formosanum.
Sarah’s Longwing
Heliconius sara
© James Laurie
The Sarah Longwing is a species of neotropical heliconiid butterfly found from Mexico to the Amazon Basin and southern Brazil. The dorsal wing surface is black with a large medial patch of metallic blue that is framed by two bands of white on the forewings. The ventral wing surface is a dull brown to black with muted bands and small red spots on the proximal margin; total wingspan is 55–60 mm. While they inhabit rainforests, adults are commonly found among sparser secondary growth and along forest margins. The adult butterfly lives up to 2–3 months.
© James Laurie
The Sarah Longwing is a species of neotropical heliconiid butterfly found from Mexico to the Amazon Basin and southern Brazil. The dorsal wing surface is black with a large medial patch of metallic blue that is framed by two bands of white on the forewings. The ventral wing surface is a dull brown to black with muted bands and small red spots on the proximal margin; total wingspan is 55–60 mm. While they inhabit rainforests, adults are commonly found among sparser secondary growth and along forest margins. The adult butterfly lives up to 2–3 months.
The Rusty-tipped Page
Siproeta epaphus
© James Laurie
The Brown Tip, or Rusty–tipped Page, is a neotropical brush-footed species that is found from Central America to the southern region of South America. It is considered one of the most common of species in Latin America and--like the Malachite--feeds on nectar, fruit and dung.
© James Laurie
The Brown Tip, or Rusty–tipped Page, is a neotropical brush-footed species that is found from Central America to the southern region of South America. It is considered one of the most common of species in Latin America and--like the Malachite--feeds on nectar, fruit and dung.
The Malachite
Siproeta stelenes
© James Laurie
© James Laurie
Malay Lacewing
Cethosia cyane
© James Laurie
Lacewings are the Old World representatives of the longwing butterflies, and like those neotropical insects, they feed on plants in the Passifloraceae. They are therefore inedible to vertebrate predators. There can be some differences in coloration between the sexes, but over all they converge on a similar pattern to warn predators of their unpalatability. These slow fliers make no effort to hide and will ‘play dead’ if roughly handled. This is a behavioral response to allow a predator to taste them during the learning process. Their bodies are tougher than palatable species and individuals can survive these attacks.
© James Laurie
Lacewings are the Old World representatives of the longwing butterflies, and like those neotropical insects, they feed on plants in the Passifloraceae. They are therefore inedible to vertebrate predators. There can be some differences in coloration between the sexes, but over all they converge on a similar pattern to warn predators of their unpalatability. These slow fliers make no effort to hide and will ‘play dead’ if roughly handled. This is a behavioral response to allow a predator to taste them during the learning process. Their bodies are tougher than palatable species and individuals can survive these attacks.
Zebra Longwing
Heliconius charitonius
© James Laurie
This is a species of butterfly belonging to the subfamily Heliconiinae of the Nymphalidae. It was declared the official butterfly for the state of Florida in the United States in 1996. The caterpillar feeds on three kinds of Passionflower vine. The adults are unusual among butterflies in that they eat pollen as well as sip nectar. This ability contributes to their longevity—3 months as an adult. Another unusual feature is that adults roost in groups of up to 70, and return to the same roost each evening. The butterfly ranges over parts of North, Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean.[2] In North America the butterfly is found in the southern parts of the United States including Florida, Georgia, Virginia, North and South Carolina.[1] In South and Central America, it has been recorded in Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela.
© James Laurie
This is a species of butterfly belonging to the subfamily Heliconiinae of the Nymphalidae. It was declared the official butterfly for the state of Florida in the United States in 1996. The caterpillar feeds on three kinds of Passionflower vine. The adults are unusual among butterflies in that they eat pollen as well as sip nectar. This ability contributes to their longevity—3 months as an adult. Another unusual feature is that adults roost in groups of up to 70, and return to the same roost each evening. The butterfly ranges over parts of North, Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean.[2] In North America the butterfly is found in the southern parts of the United States including Florida, Georgia, Virginia, North and South Carolina.[1] In South and Central America, it has been recorded in Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela.
Peacock Pansy
Precis alamana
© James Laurie
The Peacock Pansy is found in South Asia. It has two distinct adult forms, differing mostly in patterns on the underside of the wings. The dry-season form has few markings, while the wet-season form has additional eyespots and lines. The adult butterfly has a wingspan of two to 2.5 inches and exhibits seasonal polyphenism.
© James Laurie
The Peacock Pansy is found in South Asia. It has two distinct adult forms, differing mostly in patterns on the underside of the wings. The dry-season form has few markings, while the wet-season form has additional eyespots and lines. The adult butterfly has a wingspan of two to 2.5 inches and exhibits seasonal polyphenism.
Hecale’s Tiger Longwing, Spotted Tiger Longwing
Heliconius hecale
© James Laurie
Hecale’s Longwing, also known as Tiger Longwings, have unusually long lifespans and high fecundity rates, which largely result from their augmented diet. Instead of surviving on food stores from the larval stage or solely sipping flower nectar, adult longwing butterflies are avid pollen eaters. These trait make them eminently suitable for butterfly farming and butterfly gardening. Also, Adult Longwings may live for several months, much longer than most butterflies. The longwing butterflies are brightly colored, with long forewings. Once placed in their own family, they are now considered closely related to the fritillaries. Larvae of most longwings feed on passion vines, and this host plant imparts noxious chemicals to the larvae which are carried over to the adult butterflies. This relationship is identical to the monarch butterflies' reliance on its host plant, milkweed, for defense. Predators find these chemicals distasteful and avoid eating the butterflies.
© James Laurie
Hecale’s Longwing, also known as Tiger Longwings, have unusually long lifespans and high fecundity rates, which largely result from their augmented diet. Instead of surviving on food stores from the larval stage or solely sipping flower nectar, adult longwing butterflies are avid pollen eaters. These trait make them eminently suitable for butterfly farming and butterfly gardening. Also, Adult Longwings may live for several months, much longer than most butterflies. The longwing butterflies are brightly colored, with long forewings. Once placed in their own family, they are now considered closely related to the fritillaries. Larvae of most longwings feed on passion vines, and this host plant imparts noxious chemicals to the larvae which are carried over to the adult butterflies. This relationship is identical to the monarch butterflies' reliance on its host plant, milkweed, for defense. Predators find these chemicals distasteful and avoid eating the butterflies.
Doris’ Longwing
Heliconius (Laparus) doris
© James Laurie
Doris’ Longwing is an odd member of the genus Heliconia with differently shaped wings and gregarious larvae. It occurs from sea level to 1,800 meters in forest clearings, and ranges from Central America to the Amazon. Usually individuals fly rapidly (unusual for most longwings) and in the middle story. Doris Longwing populations are polymorphic in parts of the species distribution, with blue, red or green coloration at the base of the dorsal hindwing.
© James Laurie
Doris’ Longwing is an odd member of the genus Heliconia with differently shaped wings and gregarious larvae. It occurs from sea level to 1,800 meters in forest clearings, and ranges from Central America to the Amazon. Usually individuals fly rapidly (unusual for most longwings) and in the middle story. Doris Longwing populations are polymorphic in parts of the species distribution, with blue, red or green coloration at the base of the dorsal hindwing.
Hecale’s Tiger Longwing
Heliconius hecale
© James Laurie
© James Laurie
Gray Pansy
Precis atlides
© James Laurie
© James Laurie
Atlas Moth
Attacus atlas
© James Laurie
The Atlas moth is a large saturniid (Giant silk moth) found in the tropical and subtropical forests of Southeast Asia and southern China. They are common across the Malay Archipelago, Thailand and over to Indonesia. These moths are considered to be the largest moths in the world in terms of total wing surface area (upwards of 400 square cm or 65 square inches). Their wingspans are also amongst the largest, from 10-12 inches. Females are appreciably larger and heavier. Males have larger feathery antennae than females. Atlas moths are thought to be named after the Titan of Greek mythology whom held up the world on his back but they may be named for the pattern on their exceptionally large map-like wings.
The Atlas moth is a large saturniid (Giant silk moth) found in the tropical and subtropical forests of Southeast Asia and southern China. They are common across the Malay Archipelago, Thailand and over to Indonesia. These moths are considered to be the largest moths in the world in terms of total wing surface area (upwards of 400 square cm or 65 square inches). Their wingspans are also amongst the largest, from 10-12 inches. Females are appreciably larger and heavier. Males have larger feathery antennae than females. Atlas moths are thought to be named after the Titan of Greek mythology whom held up the world on his back but they may be named for the pattern on their exceptionally large map-like wings.
Great Eggfly
Hypolimnas bolina
© James Laurie
© James Laurie
Common Blue Morpho
Morpho peleides
© James Laurie
Morpho butterflies comprise about 80 species. They are forest dwellers that venture into sunny clearings to warm themselves. They are neotropical and found mostly in South America as well as Mexico and Central America. The name means change, modification or form, and is also an epithet of Aphrodite and Venus. Most species are colored in metallic, shimmering shades of blue, purple and green. These colors are not a result of pigmentation but are an example of iridescence derived from structural components: the microscopic scales covering the wings, a phenomenon similar to photonic crystals. This structure may be likened to a photonic crystal. These amazing wing have been studied as a model in the development of fabrics, dye-free paints, and anti-counterfeit technology used in currency. The ventral side is decorated with numerous ocelli or eyespots. Morpho butterflies feed on the juices of fermenting fruit with which they may also be lured. The butterflies wobble in flight and are easy to catch. The entire life cycle from egg to death, is approximately 137 days. The adults live for about a month. They have few predators as the adults are poisonous due to the feeding caterpillar sequestering poisonous compounds.
© James Laurie
Morpho butterflies comprise about 80 species. They are forest dwellers that venture into sunny clearings to warm themselves. They are neotropical and found mostly in South America as well as Mexico and Central America. The name means change, modification or form, and is also an epithet of Aphrodite and Venus. Most species are colored in metallic, shimmering shades of blue, purple and green. These colors are not a result of pigmentation but are an example of iridescence derived from structural components: the microscopic scales covering the wings, a phenomenon similar to photonic crystals. This structure may be likened to a photonic crystal. These amazing wing have been studied as a model in the development of fabrics, dye-free paints, and anti-counterfeit technology used in currency. The ventral side is decorated with numerous ocelli or eyespots. Morpho butterflies feed on the juices of fermenting fruit with which they may also be lured. The butterflies wobble in flight and are easy to catch. The entire life cycle from egg to death, is approximately 137 days. The adults live for about a month. They have few predators as the adults are poisonous due to the feeding caterpillar sequestering poisonous compounds.
Common Blue Morpho
Morpho peleides
© James Laurie
© James Laurie
Red Rim
Biblis hyperia
© James Laurie
The Red Rim strays into southern Texas but is most often encountered from Mexico through Central America and northern South America in disturbed and secondary forests. This species can not be confused with any other as the bold pink to scarlet submarginal band on the hindwing is visible (although subdued) even when the wings are closed. Both an avid flower feeder and frequenting sap and fruit, it is a common species where found. The host plant, noseburn (Tragia sp.) is a stinging plant so those who farm it are careful while working around it. The caterpillar has very alien-looking horns on the head and although is spiny does not sting.
© James Laurie
The Red Rim strays into southern Texas but is most often encountered from Mexico through Central America and northern South America in disturbed and secondary forests. This species can not be confused with any other as the bold pink to scarlet submarginal band on the hindwing is visible (although subdued) even when the wings are closed. Both an avid flower feeder and frequenting sap and fruit, it is a common species where found. The host plant, noseburn (Tragia sp.) is a stinging plant so those who farm it are careful while working around it. The caterpillar has very alien-looking horns on the head and although is spiny does not sting.
Great Eggfly
Hypolimnas bolina
© James Laurie
© James Laurie
Variable Blue Cracker
Hamadryas feronia
© James Laurie
Cracker butterflies, are fairly cryptic and mottled butterflies that mostly resemble bark. This genus of butterflies are commonly found throughout the neotropics from Arizona to South America. They spend most of the day perching on trees, boulders, and other such surfaces against which they are camouflaged. Male cracker butterflies are known for their ability to ‘crack’ their wings; they emit audible clicks when approached by potential predators, to defend territories from other Hamadryas, and in at least one species, also during courtship. All species perch with the head downwards and the wings out flat. Perching males frequently fly towards other butterflies. Unlike most butterflies, these species don't feed on nectar, instead preferring rotting fruit, sap from leguminous trees, and animal dung.
© James Laurie
Cracker butterflies, are fairly cryptic and mottled butterflies that mostly resemble bark. This genus of butterflies are commonly found throughout the neotropics from Arizona to South America. They spend most of the day perching on trees, boulders, and other such surfaces against which they are camouflaged. Male cracker butterflies are known for their ability to ‘crack’ their wings; they emit audible clicks when approached by potential predators, to defend territories from other Hamadryas, and in at least one species, also during courtship. All species perch with the head downwards and the wings out flat. Perching males frequently fly towards other butterflies. Unlike most butterflies, these species don't feed on nectar, instead preferring rotting fruit, sap from leguminous trees, and animal dung.
Malay Lacewing, Chocolate Pansy
Cethosia cyane, Precis iphita
© James Laurie
© James Laurie
The Clipper
Parthenos sylvia
© James Laurie
The Clipper is a species of nymphalid butterfly found in South and South-East Asia found mostly in forested areas. The Clipper is a fast flying butterfly and has a habit of flying with its wings flapping stiffly between the horizontal position and a few degrees below the horizontal. It may glide between spurts of flapping. Its range includes Western Ghats, Assam, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia (Malaya, Philippines, and New Guinea).
© James Laurie
The Clipper is a species of nymphalid butterfly found in South and South-East Asia found mostly in forested areas. The Clipper is a fast flying butterfly and has a habit of flying with its wings flapping stiffly between the horizontal position and a few degrees below the horizontal. It may glide between spurts of flapping. Its range includes Western Ghats, Assam, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia (Malaya, Philippines, and New Guinea).
The Clipper
Parthenos sylvia
© James Laurie
© James Laurie
Cloudless Sulphur Phoebis sennae
© James Laurie
Cloudless Sulphurs prefer red and pink flowers to nectar on. Their caterpillars feed on Senna and Cassia sp. Male sulphurs butterflies have a very agreeable perfume scent produced by androconial scales on the forewings. They will occasionally migrate north from the tropics and end up as strays here in the Dallas area.
© James Laurie
Cloudless Sulphurs prefer red and pink flowers to nectar on. Their caterpillars feed on Senna and Cassia sp. Male sulphurs butterflies have a very agreeable perfume scent produced by androconial scales on the forewings. They will occasionally migrate north from the tropics and end up as strays here in the Dallas area.
Malay Lacewing Cethosia cyane
© James Laurie
© James Laurie
Malay Lacewing Cethosia cyane
© James Laurie
© James Laurie
Malay Lacewing Cethosia cyane
© James Laurie
© James Laurie
Omphale’s King Shoemaker Archaeoprepona omphale
© James Laurie
Prepona is a genus of Neotropical charaxine butterflies in the family Nymphalidae. They are strong fliers in tropical forests where they feed on fermenting fruits and animal dung. The underside of the wings is pale greyish or brownish, while the upperside is dark with distinct iridescent blue markings. A few species also have orange markings on the upperside of the wings. They are popular among butterfly collectors and are considered a threatened species in Minas Gerais state, Brazil.
© James Laurie
Prepona is a genus of Neotropical charaxine butterflies in the family Nymphalidae. They are strong fliers in tropical forests where they feed on fermenting fruits and animal dung. The underside of the wings is pale greyish or brownish, while the upperside is dark with distinct iridescent blue markings. A few species also have orange markings on the upperside of the wings. They are popular among butterfly collectors and are considered a threatened species in Minas Gerais state, Brazil.
Pitheas Eighty-eight Callicore pitheas
© James Laurie
The Two-eyed Eighty-eight Butterfly belongs to a group of very boldly patterned neotropical butterflies that never fail to catch a person’s attention. Often found puddling the bright colors seem to scream look at me! Although there is little in the literature to support it, the premise is that these butterflies are somehow protected, probably by poisons sequestered as caterpillars as they feed on their host plants which belong in the Sapodiaceae.
© James Laurie
The Two-eyed Eighty-eight Butterfly belongs to a group of very boldly patterned neotropical butterflies that never fail to catch a person’s attention. Often found puddling the bright colors seem to scream look at me! Although there is little in the literature to support it, the premise is that these butterflies are somehow protected, probably by poisons sequestered as caterpillars as they feed on their host plants which belong in the Sapodiaceae.
Common Cattleheart Parides iphidamas
© James Laurie
Cattlehearts range from Mexico to Costa Rica. Relatively common in the deciduous forests, they are usually solitary, and can be spotted along forest edges and road cuts.
© James Laurie
Cattlehearts range from Mexico to Costa Rica. Relatively common in the deciduous forests, they are usually solitary, and can be spotted along forest edges and road cuts.
Luna Moth Actias luna
© James Laurie
Luna Moth is a lime-green, Nearctic Saturniid moth. It has a wingspan of up to four and a half inches, which ranks it as one of the largest moths in North America. This moth is found in North America from east of the Great Plains in the United States to northern Mexico and from Manitoba eastward through central Quebec to Nova Scotia in Canada. Because of the climate in which they live, the Luna Moths produce differing numbers of generations. In Canada and northern regions, they can live up to 7 days and will produce only one generation per year. These reach adulthood from early June to early July. In the northeastern United States around New Jersey or New York, the moths produce two generations each year. The first of these appear in April and May, and the second group can be seen approximately nine to eleven weeks later. In the southern United States, there can be as many as three generations.
© James Laurie
Luna Moth is a lime-green, Nearctic Saturniid moth. It has a wingspan of up to four and a half inches, which ranks it as one of the largest moths in North America. This moth is found in North America from east of the Great Plains in the United States to northern Mexico and from Manitoba eastward through central Quebec to Nova Scotia in Canada. Because of the climate in which they live, the Luna Moths produce differing numbers of generations. In Canada and northern regions, they can live up to 7 days and will produce only one generation per year. These reach adulthood from early June to early July. In the northeastern United States around New Jersey or New York, the moths produce two generations each year. The first of these appear in April and May, and the second group can be seen approximately nine to eleven weeks later. In the southern United States, there can be as many as three generations.
Northern Olivewing Nessaea aglaura
© James Laurie
© James Laurie
Tiger Longwing Heliconius ismenius
© James Laurie
© James Laurie
Omphale’s King Shoemaker Archaeoprepona omphale
© James Laurie
© James Laurie
Tawny Owl Caligo memnon
© James Laurie
© James Laurie
Malay Lacewing Cethosia cyane
© James Laurie
© James Laurie
Three-tailed Swallowtail Pterourus pilumnus
© James Laurie
Papilio is a genus in the swallowtail butterfly family, Papilionidae. It includes a number of well-known North American species such as the Western Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio rutulus). Familiar species in Asia include the Mormons (Papilio polytes, Papilio polymnestor), the Orchard and Ulysses Swallowtails in Australia (Papilio aegeus, Papilio ulysses, respectively) and the Citrus Swallowtail of Africa (Papilio demodocus). Older classifications of the swallowtails tended to use a large number of rather small genera. More recent classifications have been more conservative, and as a result a number of former genera are now absorbed within Papilio. The genus as recognized by modern systems has about 200 members. The genus Chilasa is regarded as a subgenus of Papilio by some workers, as are the Baggy-tailed Swallowtails (Agehana), although the latter taxon is usually considered a subgenus of Chilasa.
© James Laurie
Papilio is a genus in the swallowtail butterfly family, Papilionidae. It includes a number of well-known North American species such as the Western Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio rutulus). Familiar species in Asia include the Mormons (Papilio polytes, Papilio polymnestor), the Orchard and Ulysses Swallowtails in Australia (Papilio aegeus, Papilio ulysses, respectively) and the Citrus Swallowtail of Africa (Papilio demodocus). Older classifications of the swallowtails tended to use a large number of rather small genera. More recent classifications have been more conservative, and as a result a number of former genera are now absorbed within Papilio. The genus as recognized by modern systems has about 200 members. The genus Chilasa is regarded as a subgenus of Papilio by some workers, as are the Baggy-tailed Swallowtails (Agehana), although the latter taxon is usually considered a subgenus of Chilasa.
Luna Moth Actias luna
© James Laurie
© James Laurie
The Malachite Siproeta stelenes
© James Laurie
© James Laurie
The Queen Danaus gilippus
© James Laurie
The Queen Butterfly is a North and South American butterfly in the family Nymphalidae (the brush-foots) with a wingspan of 2.75–3.25 inches. It is orange or brown with black wing borders and small white forewing spots on its dorsal wing surface, and reddish ventral wing surface fairly similar to the dorsal surface. The ventral hindwings have black veins and small white spots in a black border. The male has a black androconial scent patch on its dorsal hindwings. As with other North American Danaus species, it is involved in Müllerian mimicry with the Viceroy butterfly (Limenitis archippus) where the two co-occur.
© James Laurie
The Queen Butterfly is a North and South American butterfly in the family Nymphalidae (the brush-foots) with a wingspan of 2.75–3.25 inches. It is orange or brown with black wing borders and small white forewing spots on its dorsal wing surface, and reddish ventral wing surface fairly similar to the dorsal surface. The ventral hindwings have black veins and small white spots in a black border. The male has a black androconial scent patch on its dorsal hindwings. As with other North American Danaus species, it is involved in Müllerian mimicry with the Viceroy butterfly (Limenitis archippus) where the two co-occur.
The Queen Danaus gilippus
© James Laurie
© James Laurie
Great Mormon Papilio memnon
© James Laurie
Great Mormon swallowtails are found patrolling in forest clearings at about 2-4 meters above the ground where they are very common. They can also be seen amongst human habitation. These large boldly patterned butterflies are fond of visiting flowers of Poinsettia, Jasminum, Lantana, Canna, Clerodendron, and Salvia. They fly up to 7000 feet in the Himalayas, but are most common at low elevations throughout southeast Asia. Larval host plants are members of Citrus and Fortunella, The female is polymorphic, with most forms mimicking pipevine feeding swallowtails of the genera Atrophaneura and Pachliopta.
© James Laurie
Great Mormon swallowtails are found patrolling in forest clearings at about 2-4 meters above the ground where they are very common. They can also be seen amongst human habitation. These large boldly patterned butterflies are fond of visiting flowers of Poinsettia, Jasminum, Lantana, Canna, Clerodendron, and Salvia. They fly up to 7000 feet in the Himalayas, but are most common at low elevations throughout southeast Asia. Larval host plants are members of Citrus and Fortunella, The female is polymorphic, with most forms mimicking pipevine feeding swallowtails of the genera Atrophaneura and Pachliopta.
Common Blue Morpho Morpho peleides
© James Laurie
© James Laurie
Gray Pansy Precis atlides
© James Laurie
© James Laurie
Hecale’s Tiger Longwing Heliconius hecale
© James Laurie
© James Laurie
Malay Lacewing Cethosia cyane
© James Laurie
© James Laurie
Hecale’s Tiger Longwing Heliconius hecale
© James Laurie
© James Laurie
Ruby-spotted Swallowtail Heraclides anchisiades
© James Laurie
Swallowtails are large butterflies that have the peculiar habit of fluttering while feeding at flowers, mainly of the citrus family. Males are avid puddlers. The Ruby-spotted Swallowtail, mimics species of swallowtails in the genus Parides (cattlehearts, which feed on pipevines and are unpalatable).
© James Laurie
Swallowtails are large butterflies that have the peculiar habit of fluttering while feeding at flowers, mainly of the citrus family. Males are avid puddlers. The Ruby-spotted Swallowtail, mimics species of swallowtails in the genus Parides (cattlehearts, which feed on pipevines and are unpalatable).
Great Southern White Ascia monuste
© James Laurie
The Great Southern White is a species in the Pieridae family. The sexes differ in that the female can be either light or dark colored. It is found from the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the US, through tropical America to Argentina. The wingspan is 63-86 mm. Adults are on wing all year round in southern Texas, peninsular Florida and along the Gulf Coast. Ascia monuste is an example of a migrating species which moves in one direction within its life-span and does not return. It breeds in Florida but sometimes migrates along the coast up to 160 kilometers to breed in more suitable areas. The larvae feed cultivated cabbage and radish, as well as nasturtium. Adults feed on nectar from various flowers including saltwort, lantana and verbena. It is a sporadic pest of crucifer vegetables in southern Texas.
© James Laurie
The Great Southern White is a species in the Pieridae family. The sexes differ in that the female can be either light or dark colored. It is found from the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the US, through tropical America to Argentina. The wingspan is 63-86 mm. Adults are on wing all year round in southern Texas, peninsular Florida and along the Gulf Coast. Ascia monuste is an example of a migrating species which moves in one direction within its life-span and does not return. It breeds in Florida but sometimes migrates along the coast up to 160 kilometers to breed in more suitable areas. The larvae feed cultivated cabbage and radish, as well as nasturtium. Adults feed on nectar from various flowers including saltwort, lantana and verbena. It is a sporadic pest of crucifer vegetables in southern Texas.
Paper Kite Idea leuconoe
© James Laurie
© James Laurie